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Visit SF-88, being restored

NOTE: SF-88 is not open on federal holidays,
such as the 4th of July

Table of contents:

How to get to SF-88
Visiting hours
(Please note: the telephone answering machine also says "closed when raining".

How to get to SF-88 - N 37.82698°, W 122.52753°

Nike Site SF-88L is just north of San Francisco, CA. The site has been obtaining equipment for more than 10 years and is being restored by over 20 volunteers. It is the only equipped Nike site available for public viewing in world.

You may visit this site! It is in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on the Marin Headlands, just across the Golden Gate Bridge. This is part of the National Park Service - Department of the Interior.

Site manager is: John Porter -
- - - - the nps.gov address is currently not working (Sept 7, 2010) try this.
Site telephone number is: (415)331-1453
Site official web site is: http://www.nps.gov/goga/nike-missile-site.htm "until some ding-a-ling changes it again"
"until some ding-a-ling changes it again"
You wouldn't believe, "ding-a-ling" just (Mar 29, 2007) e-mailed with this new URL.
Isn't the world a fun place? ;-))

General Area

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54 K Bytes 		Aerial image of area including
SF-88 Launcher Area
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N 37.82698°, W 122.52753° 		More details

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Click on map to expand, "back" to return here.

The descriptions courtesy Bud Halsey.
"From the south: Traveling north on route 101, after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, take the Alexander Avenue exit then turn right. Travel approximately 100 yards then take the first left which is Bunker Road. Continue for about 200 yards to the tunnel. After exiting the tunnel continue west on Bunker Road for approximately 2.5 miles. You will reach a fork in the road. Veer to the left. About 150 yards after the fork you will see the Park Visitors Center on you right. Site SF-88L will be the first right you come to beyond the Visitors Center.

From the north: Traveling south on route 101, take the last exit (Sausalito) before the Golden Gate Bridge. Turn right onto the frontage road then proceed under the freeway approximately 200 yards then take the first left which is Bunker Road. Continue for about 200 yards to the tunnel. After exiting the tunnel continue west on Bunker Road for approximately 2.5 miles. You will reach a fork in the road. Veer to the left. About 150 yards after the fork you will see the Park Visitors Center on you right. Site SF-88L will be the first right you come to beyond the Visitors Center."

Site postal address is:

Nike Site
National Park Service
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
964 Fort Barry
Sausalito, CA 94965-2609

"The visiting hours at the Nike Site are:

Wednesday through Friday -- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
FIRST Saturday of each month -- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

(was 1st Sunday)
(Please note: the telephone answering machine also says "closed when raining".

The site is closed on Sundays and other Saturdays (except first Saturday) of the month.

Note: Arrangements can be made for special tours (school groups, etc.) for other times. Call (415) 331-1453.

On the first Saturday of each month, see hours above, tour guides are available and most functioning equipment will be powered up and ready to demonstrate. Currently the following equipment is available for viewing

  • Underground facilities, launcher elevator works - you can ride on it
  • A launcher can go from horizontal to vertical firing position (that took some doing also!)
  • Several Nike Hercules missiles and a Nike Ajax missile
  • Launch Control Simulation
  • Guard Dog Kennels and exercise facilities (some visiting days police dogs and trainers give a show)
  • LOPAR Radar rotates -
  • Battery Control (BC) Van has simulated radar displays of a battle (you can launch the simulated missiles)
  • Radar Control (RC) Van
  • A missile tracking radar (non functional)

The Marin Headlands Visitors Center is just 100 yards down the road. Its phone number is (415)-331-1540

Alternative housing: For those wishing a different experience, or to save bucks, there is an Youth Hostel about 300 meters away. (They even let me stay there ;-)

And if you wish to contribute, we of course accept all "sweat labor"-- the greatest source of our volunteer work force. If someone wants to donate money, we accept that also. If someone were to send a check, it should be made payable to the
"FORT POINT AND PRESIDIO HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION"
and earmarked "Nike Site" and sent to the above address.

The Fort Point and Presidio Historical Association, who handles our restoration account, is a 501(c)3 organization under federal and state tax codes, so contributions are fully tax deductible.

If you have comments or suggestions, Send e-mail to Ed Thelen

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Updated Sept 25, 2010